Divas and Dances...

What a weekend we have had.... what a week! Whew! I am glad I made it through.  Gladder still, I seem to have come out unharmed.  I had a great time with it all.... but I am glad it is over!  Not.  Gonna.  Lie.

Huge sigh of relief!!!!!

After a week of being sick, coaching DI, celebrating Ally's birthday with a night out at Red Lobster with Family, running my Brownie meeting, attending a wine tasting, and taking the kids to Kids' Night out at the Club...... came Saturday!  A big day. We had been planning for it for quite some time.  It was not just ANY Saturday.  It was the Saturday of Ally's big Diva Party AND the Daddy Daughter Dance!

Quite some time ago, I discovered, Victoria Beaman of Kiss and Makeup! She has a boutique at Art 634 and she does all sorts of parties for big and little girls!!!!!  We decided on a Diva Party (what could be MORE appropriate for my little Diva?) for Ally's 9th birthday!  I didn't just want to do another slumber party (read - I didn't want to have to run the show again!!!!) and it is hard having a January birthday with limited options - - all inside and sometimes BORING.......  So, we were happy to have a new option!

In talking to Tori about what she does at the party, I discovered she does hair, nails, facials, makeup in addition to all the other crafts, snacks, games and fun.  I then decided that we should take advantage of the girls being all "done up" and have the party the same day as the dance, since her birthday is always so close each year. It really worked out pretty much perfectly.

I say pretty much, because it made for a pretty hectic day!!!!  But, that's okay. It was only hectic for me I think...... the girls all loved every moment!  And the moms were sure happy I took care of some of the work for them!  :-)

When we arrived at the party destination.... Ally and I instantly oohed and ahhhhed over how the space was decorated!!!!  It was every little 9 year old girls dream space!!!

We settled in and waited for the girls to arrive...... one by one they came, and one by one, they announced that they wanted to live there.  :-)  They kicked off the party with a little game.  They had so see what they knew about Ally!!!  Her friend Kennedy was the big winner.... knowing her favorite animal (panda!)... middle name (Jane).... actual birthday (Jan. 25).... what she was for Halloween last year (50s girl).... her favorite singer (Selena Gomez)..... and the list goes on and on.  Many of the girls knew many answers and they had a lot of laughs about those they didn't know.

After the little game, they quickly moved onto the craft!!! These are some CRAFTY girls.... and they were very excited to make their very own little jewelry box to take home!

Then, we got into the good stuff..... the hair, nails, and makeup portion of the party!!! The girls each chose a station to start, while some of them finished up their jewelry boxes.  Caitee kicked off hair, Ally nails and Morgan facials...

They were so silly and so into everything they did the entire time. Tori just loved their energy! She loved how they sang and danced and were generally silly the entire time. They were so kind as well.  I heard pleases and thank you's day. Constant words of praise for one another "oh Ally I love your nails... Cara, your hair looks AWESOME!"  On and on.... the girls are a positive, fun energy to be around. Every one of them. I am so glad they are my daughter's friends!

Toward the end, Ally opened her gifts from her more than generous friends.  I marveled at what she got from them, knowing full well that they and their mothers worked hard to ensure Ally received some really special and personal things.  She got a huge panda pillow pet and adorable panda necklace from Caitee.  A makeup case, lotions and mini pillow pet from Morgan.  Bracelet craft, girls truth or dare game and body spray and lip gloss from Quinn. And more lotion, shirts, bags, headbands, and girlie items from Cara and Kennedy!  The girl was spoiled rotten!

After gifts, there was more silliness and a photo session in front of a green screen! Super cool! Pics from that session to come when I get them from the photographer.......

A super fun day for a very special diva and her five besides!!!!!!  I had so much fun watching them.... and I hope they let me be a part of their fun for as long as I can!  :-)

We ran home (literally sped!!!) to get dressed and see Ally and Daddy off to the dance!!!!!!!!!

They had a wonderful night together.... and I had a wonderful dinner/night out with some of the Moms.... and then, Daddies, Mommies and kids all joined at the Whites for some late into the night partying.... it was an all around, full, busy, crazy and amazing day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  One I will remember for a very long time......